TI commits $1 million to power of STEM education initiative

SANTA CLARA, USA: Furthering its commitment to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, Texas Instruments (TI) announced its $1 million "Power of STEM Education" initiative, benefitting four communities it recently joined when it acquired National Semiconductor in late September.

The "Power of STEM Education" initiative aims to increase teaching effectiveness and build student interest in math and science. Grant recipients include educational institutions and nonprofits in California and Maine in the United States; Greenock, Scotland and Melaka, Malaysia -- communities where National operated and TI now has a major presence.

"TI, like National, has long supported STEM education as it is critical to the communities in which we live and work," said Trisha Cunningham, TI's chief citizenship officer. "Strong communities build strong companies, and strong companies build strong communities. Together, with our community partners, we want to build a better future for both our company and for our community so we can deliver more together."

Initial grant recipients were selected based on their impact on STEM education in the local communities. The first $225,000 will be distributed in 2011. The remaining $775,000 will be distributed over the next three years.

"The Power of STEM Education initiative builds on the foundation of National Semiconductor's previous education initiative," said Joan Scott, community relations director for Texas Instruments in Silicon Valley. "Earlier this year, National awarded $1.2 million over three years to support STEM education in the company's major communities. The additional $1 million dollars through the Texas Instruments' Power of STEM Education initiative enables us to have a much greater impact on education in our local communities."

Both of these education efforts are funded through the Texas Instruments Community Fund, formerly the National Semiconductor Foundation, a donor-advised fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.